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My main goal is to provide you and your business with elegant ways in representing your work. Sure business cards and fliers are fine to give to customers and potential clients; however give them a complimentary item that will not end up in the nearest trash can.

Think Pink Month

Monday, October 18, 2010

Synopsis: New author, L’Mignon, takes pride in bringing the girl next door character to reality for her readers, creating a story that many can identify with in some fashion. In her first novel, Skeletons in Her Closet she introduces us to McKenzie Johnson. Over the years McKenzie has become so involved in work she neglects having a social life. As a New Year begins, McKenzie is convinced by her friends to trade in her conservative business attire for some sexier club gear and finally let her hair down.

All work and no play is never any fun. Not knowing when she will get out again she is determined to make the most of this night. Unbeknown to her, not only will she enjoy a fun night with the girls but also meet the man she would soon marry, Milton Williams. Ordinarily, she would never go for a man that she met in a club, but there is something different about Milton once she takes the time to get to know him. He is everything she has always wanted and felt she needed to make her life complete. But as with all things in life, McKenzie’s journey with Milton is not an easy one.

L'Mignon leaves you on the edge of your seat until the very end wondering how this story will play out.

Book Excerpt

On the outside I, McKenzie Johnson, came across as being your average girl next door. Go to work, come home, go out occasionally with the girls, you know the type. I am definitely the kind of girl every man’s mother would just love. Indeed, the kind of girl every man dreams of. I am like a chameleon. I can adapt to any environment and still hold my own. I worked as a business professor at a local community college. I really enjoyed working in this environment. Sometimes it was complicated having students older than me and some the same age. But all in all it was interesting.

I have always been dead set on establishing my career as a teacher before entertaining anything as it would relate to my personal life. For a period in my life I became so consumed with school and developing a career that my friends would have to schedule time for us to grab dinner or a movie. I started out at the high school level but knew that would be a temporary situation as I did not have the tolerance to deal with the immaturity of the high school students at times. The only worry I had with the college level is that there was a greater chance that I would see my students out in some of the local hang out spots. Regardless my age in comparison to theirs I needed them to always respect me as their professor. Bad enough I had to prove myself to some of my older colleagues. Being a professor at thirty-five was impossible in the eyes of some. However, I worked hard for every degree that I held and was surely reminded of it every time I received a bill that a student loan payment was due. The administration recognized my accomplishments so to my colleagues there really was nothing left to prove.

My friends always teased that I was too devoted to my credibility as a professor. They just did not get it. But they did have a point. As Kelly would say, ‘what’s the point of hard work if you don’t play just as hard’? Kelly and I had been friends since high school. If any one knew me she was clearly one of very few that knew everything about me. She and our friend Jay were always convincing me that I needed to branch out and devote just as much time to my personal life as I did my profession. I had come along way from the McKenzie I was back in the day and it would be an honor for any man to have me. I knew this but it was just hard conveying that into my everyday life. I had not been on a date in years. Jay and Kelly did make some attempts over the years to hook me up. But nothing ever materialized. The men they picked for me were more the type of men they would date. They both liked men that had an edge to them. It did not matter where they worked or any of that. They just needed him to look fine and be able to lay it down in the bedroom. They had no problem calling me snooty. They were such loyal friends and had no problem at all speaking their minds. I have to admit as harsh as they were at times, it made sense. Jay and Kelly were persistent they did not care how long they had to continue to sing the same mantra. They knew eventually I would give in and accommodate their requests to venture out with them and let my hair down.

As I new year was about to set in I decided that this would be the last year that Jay and Kelly would be chanting that mantra. Even my mom was pressuring me to get out there and see what life had to offer outside of the classroom. Kelly and Jay had been telling me about a party they were going to attend to bring in the a new year, so I figured the best gift to them would be a phone call saying that I would join them. When I placed the call I have to say I never heard either of them scream so loud.

“You mean to tell me that after all these years you finally stepping out with the girls. Lord it is going to snow tonight,” Kelly said. Jay just screamed when I told her. They were excited. As crazy as it may seem it had been three years since I had been to a club with the girls. We have done dinner and a movie but nothing of this sort. This was clearly about to be a new start for me.

Biography

L’Mignon was born June 29, 1979 in Richmond, VA. She graduated from Highland Springs High School in 1997. She attended Strayer University, where she received both her Associates and Bachelors Degree, majoring in Business Administration with a primary focus in Contract Management. This fall she will be returning to college to pursue her MBA with a focus in Human Resources Management.

She is the proud mother of a ten-year-old son, Makari. When she is not on the baseball or football field with Makari she can be found writing, working on various projects, or spending time with her family. L’Mignon is a social butterfly who values being able to spend time with very supportive and caring friends; and the women of the Ladies of Life~Love~Laughter chapter registered with the Red Hat Society, where she serves as chapter queen.

Skeletons in Her Closet, her first novel, was released March 2010. L’Mignon takes pride in bringing the girl next door character to reality for her readers. It is her aspiration to continue to write novels that everyday people can relate to and refer back to their daily lives.

Interview with the Author:

1. How did you come up with the pen name, L’Mignon?

When I sought out to establish a pen name I wanted something that was going to be a unique representation of me. My middle name alone is very unique. So I thought I would combine that with the first initial of my first name, hence L’Mignon was created.

2. How long did it take you to complete Skeletons in Her Closet?

I started Skeletons in Her Closet in 2007. I completed the first six chapters before putting it on a very long pause. I pulled it out in August 2009 after my 30th birthday and vowed that I would have it completed and released before my 31st birthday. After pulling it out it took me five months to have it completed and on in route to the editor.

3. What has been the response from the readers of Skeletons in Her Closet?

The response to date has been amazing. I really was not expecting the great feedback that I have from the readers. Readers have gone so far as to compare my writings to that of Zane, which is an honor. Since reading and completing Skeletons in Her Closet the readers have been constantly emailing me to see when the second novel will be available.

4. Does the main character, McKenzie, embody any of your actual personality?

Like me McKenzie has a great sense of style when it comes to her attire. Through out the novel she clearly makes sure to put a lot of detail into her gear. In my actual life, I am big on appearance and believe in looking and dressing for the occasion.

5. Will there be another book from L’Mignon?

There will definitely be more to come from me. I have even gone as far as tentatively titling the second novel, Seven Nights & Seven Days. I am aiming to have this one available March 2011

6. Can you see Skeletons in Her Closet being a film or stage play?

I read Skeletons in Her Closet for the first time a month ago on an airplane ride to California. As I was reading it vivid images was playing out in my mind. I could clearly see different scenes and even the soundtrack played in my head. I am hoping that by the time I finish the McKenzie series I will be in the developing stages of having it at transpired into, at the very least, a stage play.

7. Are there other avenues you would like to pursue?

In addition to writing, I would like to venture into being a radio host. I would like to have a female hosted version of a Michael Baisden Show. I would also like to venture into public speaking. I think as a single mother & a product of Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority, the political way of saying projects, I have had the stereo types stacked against me. And to overcome and excel where I should be is a message of motivation alone.

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Hello, my name is Debra Owsley and my company is Simply Said Reading Accessories. I custom design and hand make reading accessories such as “Gift Marks” also known as Bookmarks, Book Thongs, Book Plates and note cards that I call Love Notes; for Authors Book Stores Book Clubs and Book Lovers.

This is what I do, but…it’s all about youI have been perfecting my craft for a little over 4 years as a specialty service. As an avid reader, I had to find a way to support my “Book Habit”; I have always been crafty and made some for my clients one year for Christmas, I am a hair stylist, and they encouraged me to pursue this as a business.

I also have a client who is an author and she commissioned me to custom some for her, thus the Authors Custom Work came in. I attend several major book events a year and I can proudly say that my work is appreciated by some of the finest authors, in the industry.

Book lovers can enjoy my work too! Check out my booklovers gift shop to view pre-designed selections. I love to create and make the “Giftmarks”, and Book Thongs. I have hundreds of different designs, all have wonderful quotes, sayings, or phases that speaks to you. View the catalogs here.